Communication method and system for providing content to a communication device according to a user preference

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a communication system to provide content to a communication device operated by a user is described herein. The method comprises setting in the communication device a content preference, wherein the content preference is set by the user, sending the content preference from the communication device to the communication system, receiving in the communication system a content request from the communication device, receiving in the communication system the content in a first format from a content provider, modifying in the communication system the content from the first format to a second format, wherein the second format is based on the content preference set by the user, and transmitting from the communication system the content in the second format to the communication device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Customers typically use mobile devices, such as mobile phones, mediadevices, and personal computers, to gain mobile access to mobile contentsuch as video, internet, and mobile TV. Providing mobile access tocontent requires the coordination of many various networks, links, andequipment. Typically, communication carriers provide this access betweenmobile devices operated by their customers and content providers thatprovide the desired content. The delivery of mobile content to mobiledevices requires the use of network resources. When a large number ofmobile devices desire mobile content simultaneously the demand on thenetwork resources may cause a decrease in the overall service deliveredto those mobile devices.

OVERVIEW

Generally, a method of operating a communication system to providecontent to a communication device operated by a user is describedherein. The method comprises setting in the communication device acontent preference, wherein the content preference is set by the user,sending the content preference from the communication device to thecommunication system, receiving in the communication system a contentrequest from the communication device, receiving in the communicationsystem the content in a first format from a content provider, modifyingin the communication system the content from the first format to asecond format, wherein the second format is based on the contentpreference set by the user, and transmitting from the communicationsystem the content in the second format to the communication device. Acommunication system for providing content to a communication deviceoperated by a user is also described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process for the operation of a communicationsystem.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that describes modifying content.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that describes modifying content.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that describes modifying content.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates communication system 100. Communication system 100includes communication devices 101 and 102, access system 104,communication system 106, communication network 107, and contentprovider 108. Communication device 101 communicates with access system104 over communication link 111. Communication device 102 communicateswith access system 104 over communication link 112. Access system 104communicates with communication system 106 over communication link 113.Communication system 106 communicates with communication network 107over communication link 114. Communication network 107 communicates withcontent provider 108 over communication link 115. Thus, communicationdevices 101 and 102 receive content from content provider 108 over thelinks and paths described above.

Communication devices 101 and 102 comprise mobile phones, personalcomputers, laptops, personal digital assistants, pagers, or othercommunication devices. Communication devices 101 and 102 communicatewith access system 104 over communication links 111 and 112,respectively.

Access system 104 comprises a base station, base transceiver station, amodem, or other access system. Access system 104 may include a number ofelements known to those skilled in the art comprising variouscombinations and variations of transceivers, power amplifiers,combiners, duplexers, antennas, and control functions. Access system 104communicates with communication devices 101 and 102 over communicationlink 111 and 112, respectively. Additionally, access system 104communicates with communication system 106 over communication link 113.

Communication system 106 comprises a mobile switching center, basestation controller, access service node, or any other type, combination,or variation of communication system. Communication system 106 mayinclude a number of elements known to those skilled in the artcomprising various combinations and variations of individualcommunications networks, transmission systems, relay stations, tributarystations, and data terminal equipment usually capable of interconnectionand interoperation to form an integrated whole. Communication system 106communicates with access system 104 over communication link 113. Also,communication system 106 communicates with communication network 107over communication link 114.

Communication network 107 comprises an internet, an Ethernet, a widearea network, a local area network, a public switched telephone network,or any combination or variation of communication networks. Communicationnetwork 107 communicates with communication system 106 overcommunication link 114. Additionally, communication network 107communicates with content provider 108 over communication link 115.

Content provider 108 comprises video providers, audio providers, imageproviders, multimedia providers, or other content providers. Contentprovider 108 communicates with communication network 107 overcommunication link 115.

Communication links 111-115 comprise wired links, wireless links, or anycombination or variation thereof. Communication link 111 carriescommunication signals between communication device 101 and access system104. Communication link 112 carries communication signals betweencommunication device 102 and access system 104. Communication link 113carries communication signals between access system 104 andcommunication system 106. Communication link 114 carries communicationsignals between communication system 106 and communication network 107.Communication link 115 carries communication signals betweencommunication network 107 and content provider 108.

In operation, users operate communication devices 101 and 102 tocommunicate with content provider 108. For example, users may operatecommunication device 101 to obtain content from content provider 108through communication system 106. The content could comprise video,audio, image, or data, as well as other types of data.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process for the operation of a communication systemsuch as communication system 100. In step 201 a user using communicationdevice 101 sets a content preference on communication device 101. Forexample, a user may wish to browse the Internet using his/her mobilephone. However, the user may be hearing impaired and as such does notneed the audio associated with the web page. The user can enter thebrowser menu and set the user preference for a hearing impaired user.Additionally, the user may have the choice of choosing between havingthe audio removed or having captions included with the web page. Inanother example, the user may be color blind and as such does not needthe color images associated with the web page. Accordingly, the colorblind user can set the user preference for a color blind user.

In step 202 the previously selected content preference is sent fromcommunication device 101 to communication system 106. Alternatively, thecontent preference may be sent from communication device 101 tocommunication system 106 when communication device 101 requests contentfrom communication system 106. In step 203 at some later timecommunication system 106 receives a content request from communicationdevice 101. Subsequently, communication system 106 forwards the contentrequest to content provider 108. In step 204 communication system 106receives the content from content provider 108. Alternatively,communication system 106 may pre-cache content from content provider 108and, thus, would not need to forward the content request fromcommunication device 101.

In step 205 communication system 106 modifies the content received fromcontent provider 108. For example, if the content preference indicatesthat the user wishes to receive a web page without audio, thencommunication system 106 modifies the content to remove the audio.Likewise, if the content preference indicates that the user wishes toreceive a web page without audio but with captions, then communicationsystem 106 modifies the content to remove the audio and insert captions.In another example, if content preference indicates that the user wishesto receive a web page without color, then communication system 106modifies the content to remove the color. Additionally, the userpreference could indicate that the user wishes to receive a higherresolution black-and-white web page instead of the color web page, orthe user preference could indicate that the user wishes to receive ablack-and-white web page of comparable quality to the color web page. Instep 206 communication system 106 transmits the modified content tocommunication device 101.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram that describes an example whereby theprocess as shown in FIG. 2 is employed by communication system 106. Inoperation, communication device 101 receives content from contentprovider 108. In this example a user operating communication device 101is hearing impaired and has changed a setting within his/her mobilephone to indicate that all incoming content to the mobile phone is to bewithout audio. Additionally, the user may have the ability to specifydifferent content preferences for different types of content. Forexample, the user may indicate that all web pages viewed on the user'smobile phone are to be sent without audio while also indicating that allmobile TV broadcasts sent to the user's mobile phone are to be sentwithout audio but with captions. Whatever content preferences the userselects on his/her mobile phone are then sent to communication system106.

At some later time, the user sends a request to view a web page onhis/her mobile phone to communication system 106. This request is thenforwarded on to content provider 108, which in response transmits therequested web page to communication system 106. Upon receiving the webpage, communication system 106 modifies the web page to remove any audioportions. Communication system 106 then subsequently transmits themodified web page to communication device 101 for the user to view.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating communication system 400.Communication system 400 includes communication devices 401 and 402,access system 404, communication system 406, communication network 407,and content provider 408. Additionally, communication system 406includes base station controller 420, proxy 421, and user accountprofile server 422.

Communication device 401 communicates with access system 404 overcommunication link 411. Communication device 402 communicates withaccess system 404 over communication link 412. Access system 404communicates with communication system 406 over communication link 413.Communication system 406 communicates with communication network 407over communication link 414. Communication network 407 communicates withcontent provider 408 over communication link 415. Thus, communicationdevices 401 and 402 receive content from content provider 408 over thelinks and paths described above.

Communication devices 401 and 402 comprise mobile phones, personalcomputers, laptops, personal digital assistants, pagers, or othercommunication devices. Communication devices 401 and 402 communicatewith access system 404 over communication links 111 and 412,respectively.

Access system 404 comprises a base station, base transceiver station, amodem, or other access system. Access system 404 may include a number ofelements known to those skilled in the art comprising variouscombinations and variations of transceivers, power amplifiers,combiners, duplexers, antennas, and control functions. Access system 404communicates with communication devices 401 and 402 over communicationlink 411 and 412, respectively. Additionally, access system 404communicates with communication system 406 over communication link 413.

Communication system 406 comprises a mobile switching center, basestation controller, access service node, or any other type, combination,or variation of communication system. Communication system 406 mayinclude a number of elements known to those skilled in the artcomprising various combinations and variations of individualcommunications networks, transmission systems, relay stations, tributarystations, and data terminal equipment usually capable of interconnectionand interoperation to form an integrated whole. Communication system 406communicates with access system 404 over communication link 413. Also,communication system 406 communicates with communication network 407over communication link 414.

Base station controller 420 comprises processing circuitry and computerelements that supervise the functioning and control of multiple accesssystems. Furthermore, base station controller 420 handles allocation ofradio channels, receives measurements from communication devices 401 and402, controls handovers, and performs various other functions. Basestation controller 420 communicates with proxy 421 over communicationlink 430.

Proxy 421 comprises a gateway, a router, a switch, or any other type,combination, or variation of communication system. Proxy 421 alsoperforms any modification to content sent from content provider 408 tocommunication device 401 or 402. Proxy 421 communicates with basestation controller 420 over communication link 430 and with user accountprofile server 422 over communication link 431.

User account profile server 422 contains users' profiles. For example, auser profile is associated with communication device 401 and anotheruser profile is associated with communication device 402. A user profilemay indicate that the user wishes the content received by his/hercommunication device to have a particular format modification. Useraccount profile server 422 communicates with proxy 421 overcommunication link 431.

Communication network 407 comprises an internet, an Ethernet, a widearea network, a local area network, a public switched telephone network,or any combination or variation of communication networks. Communicationnetwork 407 communicates with communication system 406 overcommunication link 414. Additionally, communication network 407communicates with content provider 408 over communication link 415.

Content provider 408 comprises video providers, audio providers, imageproviders, multimedia providers, or other content providers. Contentprovider 408 communicates with communication network 407 overcommunication link 415.

Communication links 411-415, 430, and 431 comprise wired links, wirelesslinks, or any combination or variation thereof. Communication link 411carries communication signals between communication device 401 andaccess system 404. Communication link 412 carries communication signalsbetween communication device 402 and access system 404. Communicationlink 413 carries communication signals between access system 404 andcommunication system 406. Communication link 414 carries communicationsignals between communication system 406 and communication network 407.Communication link 415 carries communication signals betweencommunication network 407 and content provider 408. Communication link430 carries communication signals between base station controller 420and proxy 421. Communication link 431 carries communication signalsbetween user account profile server 422 and proxy 421.

In operation, users operate communication devices 401 and 402 tocommunicate with content provider 408. For example, users may operatecommunication device 401 to obtain content from content provider 408through communication system 406. The content could comprise video,audio, image, or data, as well as other types of data.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram that describes an example whereby theprocess as shown in FIG. 2 is employed by communication system 406. Inoperation, communication device 401 receives content from contentprovider 408. In this example a user operating communication device 401is hearing impaired and has changed a setting within his/her mobilephone to indicate that all incoming mobile TV content to the mobilephone is to be captioned. Communication device 401 sends the user'scontent preference to proxy 421.

At some later time, the user sends a request to view mobile TV onhis/her mobile phone to proxy 421. This request is then forwarded on tocontent provider 408, which in response transmits the requested mobileTV to proxy 421. Upon receiving the mobile TV, proxy 421 modifies themobile TV to include captioning. Proxy 421 then subsequently transmitsthe modified mobile TV to communication device 401 for the user to view.

In another example, the mobile TV provided by content provider 408 couldbe pre-cached on proxy 421. In that case, only communication device 401and proxy 421 would communicate to provide communication device 401 withmobile TV. Communication device 401 and proxy 421 could communicateusing Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).

Communication device 401 would send a RTSP DESCRIBE request to proxy421. Proxy 421 would respond with a RTSP 200 OK response. Communicationdevice 401 would transmit a RTSP SET_PARAMETER STREAM_PREFERENCE:CAPTION_REQUIRED message. Alternatively, communication device 401 couldtransmit a NO_AUDIO or a B&W_STREAM message to proxy 421. In response,proxy 421 would again send a RTSP 200 OK response. Communication device401 would then send a RTSP SETUP message to proxy 421. Alternatively,communication device 401 could send multiple RTSP SETUP messages if morethan one parameter had been set. For example, the user could indicatethat he/she wanted no audio and captioning. Next, proxy 421 would send aRTSP 200 OK response. Proxy 421 would then check the user's preferenceinformation based on the supplied parameter set and then prepares thestream accordingly. Proxy 421 then streams the mobile TV using RTSP.Communication device 401 sends proxy 421 a RTSP TEARDOWN message andproxy 421 responds with a RTSP OK message.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram that describes another example wherebythe process as shown in FIG. 2 is employed by communication system 406.In operation, communication device 402 receives content from contentprovider 408. In this example a user operating communication device 402is color blind and has changed a setting within his/her mobile phone toindicate that all incoming content to the mobile phone is to be in blackand white. Communication device 402 sends the user's content preferenceto user account profile server 422.

At some later time, the user sends a request to view a web page onhis/her mobile phone to proxy 421. This request is then forwarded on tocontent provider 408, which in response transmits the requested web pageto proxy 421. Upon receiving the web page, proxy 421 queries useraccount profile server 422 to see if the web page from content provider408 is to be modified. User account profile server 422 sends a responseto proxy 421 identifying that the web page is to be modified to replaceall color images with black and white images. In response, proxy 421modifies the web page to replace any color images with black and whiteimages. Proxy 421 then subsequently transmits the modified web page tocommunication device 402 for the user to view.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating communication system 700.Communication system 700 could be a communication system similar tocommunication system 106, communication system 606, or some othersimilar communication system. Communication system 700 includescommunication interface 704 and processing system 701. Processing system701 includes storage system 702. Storage system 702 stores software 703.Processing system 701 is linked to communication interface 704.Communication system 700 could be comprised of a programmedgeneral-purpose computer, although those skilled in the art willappreciate that programmable or special purpose circuitry and equipmentmay be used. Communication system 700 may be distributed among multipledevices that together comprise elements 701-704.

Communication interface 704 could comprise a network interface, modem,port, transceiver, or some other communication device. Communicationinterface 704 may be distributed among multiple communication devices.Processing system 701 could comprise a computer microprocessor, logiccircuit, or some other processing device. Processing system 701 may bedistributed among multiple processing devices. Storage system 702comprises a computer-readable medium. For example, storage system 702could comprise a disk, tape, integrated circuit, server, or some othermemory device. Storage system 702 may be distributed among multiplememory devices.

Processing system 701 retrieves and executes software 703 from storagesystem 702. Software 703 may comprise an operating system, utilities,drivers, networking software, and other software typically loaded onto acomputer system. Software 703 could comprise an application program,firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processinginstructions. When executed by processing system 701, software 703directs processing system 701 to operate as described herein.

Note, communication systems 100 and 400 allow for a way to detect for auser's disability and to subsequently enhance the user's experience bymodifying any content that is received on the user's communicationdevice. Such modification allows for the saving of network resources bynot sending extraneous information to users who may have a disabilitythat would preclude them from experiencing that information. Forexample, a hearing impaired user would not need the audio associatedwith a web page and network resources that would have been allocated tosending the audio can be used elsewhere within the network.Additionally, such modification would enhance the user's experience. Forexample, a hearing impaired user would have their user experienceenhanced by the addition of caption to a mobile TV broadcast.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing content to a mobilecommunication device operated by a user, the method comprising: settingwithin the mobile communication device a closed caption preference forvideo content, wherein the closed caption preference is set by the user;sending the closed caption preference from the mobile communicationdevice for delivery to a communication system in an exchange of sessionsetup messages; receiving in the communication system the closed captionpreference in the exchange of session setup messages wirelesslytransmitted from the mobile communication device; receiving in thecommunication system the content in a first format from a contentprovider; modifying in the communication system the content from thefirst format to a second format, wherein the second format comprisesclosed captions for video data of the content generated by thecommunication system based on the closed caption preference set by theuser; and transmitting from the communication system the content in thesecond format for delivery to the mobile communication device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the session setup messages comprise real timestreaming protocol (RTSP) messages.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein theexchange of session setup messages comprises the mobile communicationdevice transmitting an RTSP DESCRIBE message followed by the mobilecommunication device transmitting the closed caption preference in anRTSP SETUP message.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, priorto sending the closed caption preference from the mobile communicationdevice for delivery to the communication system, transmitting from thecommunication system the content in the first format for delivery to themobile communication device, wherein the first format comprises thevideo data without the closed captions for the video data.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the video data of the content comprises videoassociated with a web page.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the videodata of the content comprises video associated with a video applicationof the mobile communication device.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein thevideo application of the mobile communication device comprises atelevision application.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein thecommunication system comprises a proxy.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereintransmitting from the communication system the content in the secondformat for delivery to the mobile communication device comprisesstreaming the video data of the content with the closed captions using aReal Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).
 10. A communication system toprovide content to a mobile communication device operated by a user, thecommunication system comprising: an interface configured to receive aclosed caption preference for video content transmitted from the mobilecommunication device in an exchange of session setup messages, whereinthe closed caption preference for video content is set by the userwithin the mobile communication device, and receive the content in afirst format from a content provider; and a processor configured tomodify the content from the first format to a second format, wherein thesecond format comprises closed captions for video data of the contentgenerated by the processor based on the closed caption preference set bythe user; wherein the interface is further configured to transmit thecontent in the second format for delivery to the mobile communicationdevice.
 11. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the sessionsetup messages comprise real time streaming protocol (RTSP) messages.12. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the the exchange ofsession setup messages comprises the mobile communication devicetransmitting an RTSP DESCRIBE message followed by the mobilecommunication device transmitting the closed caption preference in anRTSP SETUP message.
 13. The communication system of claim 10 furthercomprising, before the interface receives the closed caption preferencefor video content transmitted from the mobile communication device, theinterface configured to transmit the content in the first format fordelivery to the mobile communication device, wherein the first formatcomprises the video data without the closed captions for the video data.14. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the video data of thecontent comprises video associated with a web page.
 15. Thecommunication system of claim 10 wherein the video data of the contentcomprises video associated with a video application of the mobilecommunication device.
 16. The communication system of claim 15 whereinthe video application of the mobile communication device comprises atelevision application.
 17. The communication system of claim 10 whereinthe communication system comprises a proxy.
 18. The communication systemof claim 10 wherein using a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).
 19. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions storedthereon for operating a communication system to provide content to amobile communication device operated by a user, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the communication system, direct thecommunication system to: receive a closed caption preference for videocontent transmitted from the mobile communication device in an exchangeof session setup messages, wherein the closed caption preference forvideo content is set by the user within the mobile communication device,receive a content request wirelessly transmitted from the mobilecommunication device, receive the content in a first format from acontent provider, modify the content from the first format to a secondformat, wherein the second format comprises closed captions for videodata of the content generated by the communication system based on theclosed caption preference set by the user, and transmit the content inthe second format for delivery to the mobile communication device.